One of the most prolific players in the state, Beau Burns Beau Burns 5'11" | 165 lbs | ATH BGM | 2026 State IA has somehow turned it up a notch to start his senior campaign. Moving from 8-man football to Class A this fall, he and BGM have only kept their collective foot on the gas, starting 2-1 (with their lone loss coming to Madrid, who is traditionally a small-school powerhouse), and scoring 150 points over their first three contests.

Burns himself is the engine that makes the BGM offense go, as he’s completed 35-of-47 passes (74.5%) for 517 yards and five touchdowns through the air, while taking 66 carries for 847 yards and 14 touchdowns, including a long touchdown run of 84 yards.

The first of two quarterbacks and the second time making one of these lists in Class A, Beau Burns Beau Burns 5'11" | 165 lbs | ATH BGM | 2026 State IA out of BGM is the definition of a dual-threat quarterback. Moving up to Class A from 8-man, Burns will be tested in his ability to repeat his outlandish production after posting 1,474 yards and 25 touchdowns on 177 carries last year and 2,930 yards and 46 touchdowns rushing over the last two seasons.

One of the top passers in 8-man last season, too, Burns completed 134-of-193 passes (67.3%) for 2,391 yards, 34 touchdowns and just six interceptions.

With the departure of Tri-Center and AJ Harder AJ Harder 6'1" | 160 lbs | QB Tricenter | 2027 State IA to Class 1A, Beau Burns Beau Burns 5'11" | 165 lbs | ATH BGM | 2026 State IA is the top passer back in Class A this fall. Playing in 8-man last season, Burns completed 134-of-193 passes (67.3%) for 2,391 yards, 34 touchdowns and just six interceptions. One of the more efficient passers in 8-man, it will be interesting to see how his game translates to playing 11-on-11 ball.

If there was a year for Burns and the Bears to move up levels, it’d be this season. Entering his third-straight year as a starter with 69-to-13 touchdown to interception ratio — not to mention 2,930 yards and 46 touchdowns rushing — Burns is as about as experienced and ready as they come to take a leap up in competition.

Despite coming out of an 8-player league school, I don’t think there has been any QB that electrified the state of Iowa across the last 2 seasons as much as Beau Burns Beau Burns 5'11" | 165 lbs | ATH BGM | 2026 State IA did. Building off a spectacular sophomore campaign, Burns didn’t disappoint in his junior season, throwing for nearly 2400 yards, 34 touchdowns, and only 6 picks all season, while rushing for 1474 yards and 25 touchdowns on the ground. Burns has been quite a dangerous dual-threat QB, showing great vision and awareness in the pocket while showing growth over the year on his accuracy and timing on his throws. Burns is also utilized heavily in designed draws and keepers that showcases his athletic potential. Burns will try to cap his stellar run with the Bears by leading his team to a state title game in 2025 after being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs each of the last 2 seasons.